Species Himalayan honeysuckle
small, white flowers with deep red, shiny sepal, and green, curvy leaves with red margins

Himalayan honeysuckle

Leycesteria formosa

The Himalayan honeysuckle (Leycesteria formosa) is an easy to grow shrub with ornamental branches that bear lovely pink and white flowers. The flowers form in clusters of up to 8 and have a delicate sweet scent. The plant attracts wildlife and is a great addition to any garden. It's woody stems and purple red berries can provide an interesting contrast to other plants, and look especially stunning in the autumn and winter. Pest resistant and low maintenance, this is an excellent option for anyone looking to create a stunning garden.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Greenwood Cuttings

Hardiness Zone:

7 - 9

Flowers:

White with deep red bracts Flowers In Summer

Sun:

Full sun, Part sun/part shade

Soil:

Well-drained

Fruits:

red,purple,black Fruits In Summer Ready In Summer

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Low

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Himalayan honeysuckle (Leycesteria formosa) should be watered regularly throughout the growing season. During the summer (spring to fall) water the plant deeply twice a week, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. In the winter, reduce the frequency of watering to only every 2-3 weeks. Avoid over-watering, as these plants are sensitive to water logging and can quickly suffer from root rot and other plant diseases.

sunlight

Himalayan honeysuckle (Leycesteria formosa) needs a minimum of 4 hours of direct sunlight each day. It grows best in sunny or partially sunny spots with partial shade in the afternoon. It is not very demanding when it comes to light, but prefers more light if given the choice. In most regions, it will do best with morning sun and afternoon shade, so planting in a spot that gets full sun after 11am is ideal. In cooler or milder climates, full sun is best.

pruning

Himalayan honeysuckle (Leycesteria formosa) should be pruned once or twice a year, ideally in late winter or early spring. Pruning should done lightly, removing any dead, damaged or crossing shoots, as well as those that are competing for light and air circulation. In addition, light shaping pruning to create a bushier shape can help keep Himalayan honeysuckle from becoming leggy and open. A light pruning of up to a third of the stems can also be done just as flower buds start to form in late spring or early summer, but always keep some flower buds intact to get the best looking blooms for the following season.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Leycesteria formosa typically begins in July and ends in September.

Starts Flowering

Himalayan honeysuckle typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Himalayan honeysuckle typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Leycesteria formosa typically begins in July and ends in September.

Hardiness Map